Scope and Content

Three-quarter length portrait of Thomas Adams wearing a black suit, and seated on a chair. His left hand rests on a Bible.

The artist and exact date of the portrait are not known. Caption on reverse of frame states 'Thomas Adams of The Firs, Nottingham. Father-in-law of C.B. Kingdon'.

Note that 'The Firs' is now known as 'Lenton Firs' and is part of the University Park Campus of The University of Nottingham.

Administrative / Biographical History

Thomas Adams (1807-1873) was a lace manufacturer and philanthropist who lived at 'The Firs', now part of University Park, Nottingham. He was a Christian philanthropist, who contributed money towards the founding of a number of churches in Nottingham, including St Luke's near Sneinton. He was also a Councillor for St Mary's Ward, Borough Magistrate, Charitable Trustee for the Borough, and member of the Lenton School Board and Radford Board of Guardians. His lace factory was situated on St Mary's Gate in Nottingham, and his former lace warehouse (now known as the Adams Building) still stands nearby on Stoney Street.

Arrangement

No archival arrangement has been necessary

Conditions Governing Access

Accessible to all readers.

Other Finding Aids

This description is the only finding aid available for the collection. Copyright in the description belongs to The University of Nottingham.

Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements

Good

Conditions Governing Use

Identification of copyright holders of unpublished material is often difficult.

Permission to make any published use of any material from the collection must be sought in writing on our Permission to Publish form (see the Reprographics Services part of our website or email mss-library@nottingham.ac.uk)

Reprographic copies can be supplied for educational and private study purposes only, depending on access status and the condition of the documents.

Custodial History

The painting was was donated to The University of Nottingham by Melanie Fawcett, great, great grand-daughter of Thomas Adams. Adams' daughter, Anne Cullen Adams married Clement Kingdon of Ednaston Lodge, Derbyshire. On his father's death they moved back to his house, Stamford Hill, Poughill, Cornwall. Their son, Hamilton married and lived next door at Penhunsey House and, in turn, had a son, Richard (father of Melanie Fawcett).